Attachment mechanism for network device

ABSTRACT

An attachment mechanism for attaching a network device to an object at a certain angle with respect to a horizontal direction, the network device being connectible to a cable connected to a communication apparatus, and the network device assisting a communication on a network by the communication apparatus includes a support part for supporting a housing of the network device, an accommodation part for accommodating the cable, and an engagement part connectible to the object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to attachment mechanisms for attaching one or more network devices, such as a hub, a router, and a switch, to an object, such as a desk, a counter, a partition, and a wall.

[0002] Along with recent spread of LANs and WANs, many network devices, such as personal computers (“PCs” hereinafter) and hubs, switches, and routers (hubs etc. are also called “agents”) come to get connected to a network and its subnets for information sharing and frequent communications.

[0003] Installations of the network devices have recently been diversified according to users' usage modes and installment environments. Specifically, the conventional network device has been a generally horizontal type that is placed horizontally on a table, requiring the large installation space. Therefore, effective use of the installation location has been demanded.

[0004] On the other hand, a general-purpose rack, attached to a wall, etc., for accommodating small articles cannot be used as an attachment mechanism for the network device because many cables are connected to the network device for connection with communication apparatuses and thus the general-purpose rack would litter and short-circuit the cables. In particular, when the cable is an optical fiber cable, it would easily get damaged unless it has certain curvature or larger.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, it is an exemplified object of the present invention to provide an attachment mechanism for a network device, which effectively utilizes a space in which the network device is installed and bundles cables for use with the network device.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an attachment mechanism of one aspect of the present invention for attaching a network device to an object at a certain angle with respect to a horizontal direction, the network device being connectible to a cable connected to a communication apparatus, and the network device assisting a communication on a network by the communication apparatus includes a support part for supporting a housing of the network device, an accommodation part for accommodating the cable, and an engagement part connectible to the object. The attachment mechanism attaches the network device, for example, at 90 degree with respect to an approximately horizontal top plate of an object, such as a desk, thereby maximizing or effectively utilizing any space under the top plate. The accommodation part accommodates the cable and prevents the cable from littering around the object. In this case, the engagement part may have, for example, an approximately C shape, engaged with an edge of the top plate, for arranging the support part inside the top plate.

[0007] The housing may have a first surface and a second surface smaller than the first surface, and wherein the support part supports the network device through the second surface, the housing including a plurality of longitudinally extending terminals connectible to a plurality of communication apparatuses while the housing is supported on the support part. The present invention is especially useful for maximizing the installation space of the vertical network device. There may be provided a bundler member for bundling the cable, wherein the accommodation part includes a connection part, engaged with the bundler member, for bundling the cable on the accommodation part. For example, the bundler member is a tie or tie-wrap. The bundler member may fix the cable and maintain a certain radius of curvature of the cable if needed.

[0008] The attachment mechanism may further include a drawer mechanism, movable relative to the support part, for loading the network device onto and ejecting the network device from the support part. Thereby, even when the engagement part is provided at the back of the object, the drawer mechanism facilitates installation and exchange of the network device. There may be provided a drawer mechanism for changing an area of the support mechanism so as to change the number of network devices to be supported. Thereby, the desired number of network devices may be mounted on the support part. The drawer part may have a grip or handle to facilitate a movement of the drawer mechanism.

[0009] The attachment mechanism may accommodate a plurality of network devices, and further include a drawer mechanism, movable relative to the support part, for loading and ejecting the plurality of network device independent of the support part. Thereby, a desired network device may be attached and replaced without affecting another network device and a communication apparatus connected to it. There may be provided another engagement part removably attached to another attachment mechanism in order to accommodate a plurality of network devices. Thus, each attachment part may accommodate at least one network device, and be connected to another attachment mechanism. In this case, the engagement part of the other attachment mechanism is not necessary because the other attachment mechanism is not directly connected to the object.

[0010] A relative angle between the support part and the engagement part may be configured to be variable. The angle may be set two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally. An adjustment of the relative angle between the support part and the engagement part according to the installation space would facilitate effective use of the installation space. The support part may include a radiator part for radiating heat from the network device. According to this attachment mechanism, the support part serves as a heat radiator, and thus contributes to miniaturization. The support part may include a magnet to hold the network device. If the support part uses screws, a type and manufacturer of the network device to be mounted may possibly be limited, for example, to those having screw holes at predetermined positions. A magnet would easily support an arbitrary shape of network device, and facilitate universal use of the attachment mechanism.

[0011] The support part may include a first attachment part for attaching the housing in a first orientation, and a second attachment part for attaching the housing in a second orientation different from the first orientation. Thereby, diversified installations are available according to users' preferences and wiring conditions. The attachment mechanism may be formed by bending one sheet of plate. Thereby, the attachment may be manufactured by an easy method.

[0012] The support part may be movable relative to the engagement part. Thereby, even when the engagement part is provided at the back of the object, the drawer mechanism facilitates installation and exchange of the network device. The drawer part may have a grip or handle to facilitate movements of the drawer mechanism. Alternatively, the support part may be movable relative to the object. Thereby, even when the management part is provided at the back of the object, the drawer mechanism facilitates installation and exchange of the network device. A relative angle between the object and the engagement part may be configured to be variable. The angle may be set two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally. An adjustment of the relative angle between the object and the engagement part according to the installation space would facilitate its effective use.

[0013] Other objects and further features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an attachment instrument of one embodiment according to the present invention, which attaches a network device to a desk.

[0015]FIG. 2A is a front view of the attachment instrument shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the attachment instrument shown in FIG. 1.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of ties or tie-wraps engaged with cutouts in the attachment instrument shown in FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view indicating a relationship between the network device shown in FIG. 1 and a fitting.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along a line A-A in FIG. 4.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an external appearance of the network device to which the fitting shown in FIG. 4 is attached.

[0020]FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along a line B-B in FIG. 6.

[0021]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a magnet shown in FIG. 4.

[0022]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an external appearance of the network device to which the fitting and magnets shown in FIG. 4 are attached.

[0023]FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along a line C-C in FIG. 9.

[0024]FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a drawer mechanism of another embodiment according to the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view as a variation of the attachment instrument shown in FIG. 2.

[0026]FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view as a variation of the drawer mechanism shown in FIG. 11.

[0027]FIG. 14A is a schematic sectional view of another variation of the attachment instrument shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 14B is a plane view taken along a line F-F in FIG. 14A.

[0028]FIG. 15A is a schematic plane view of still another variation of the attachment instrument shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 15B is its schematic top view.

[0029]FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view of still another variation of the attachment instrument shown in FIG. 2.

[0030]FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view of still another variation of the attachment instrument shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] A description will now be given of an attachment instrument 200 of one embodiment according to the present invention with reference to accompanying drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the attachment instrument 200 that attaches a network device 100 to a desk 1.

[0032] The network device 100 is connectible to one or more cables 130 connected to one or more communication apparatuses, such as a personal computer (not shown), and assists communications on the network by the communication apparatus. The network device 100 broadly covers, for example, a hub, a switch, a router, any other concentrator, a repeater, a bridge, a gateway device, a PC, and a wireless interconnecting device (e.g., an access point as a interconnecting device for wireless LAN).

[0033] The network device 100 of this embodiment is configured, for example, as a stackable hub. The stackable hub utilizes, unlike a cascade (or multistage) connection, a plurality of hubs as one hub by connecting them using a dedicated interface. The Ethernet has a cascade rule that only “four stages of 10M hubs” or “two stages of 100M hubs” may be utilized, and an additional network device would require the increased number of ports. The stackable hub is suitable in connecting hubs beyond this limitation.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the network device 100 has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped housing 101 including a front surface 102, a rear surface 104, a bottom surface 106 and a left side surface 108. Here, FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view indicating a relationship between the network device 100 and a fitting 280.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the network device 100 has stack ports 112 and 114 a switch 116, and LEDs 118 and 120 on the front surface 102. The stack ports 112 and 114 are used for stack connections, and each connectible to the cable 130 for connection with another hub. The switch 116 is an activation switch of the body. The LED 118 indicates a network state, while the LED 120 indicates a state of a hub itself.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, the network device 100 includes a 100BASE-TX port 122, an MDI/MDI-X switch 124, and a power-supply cable 126 on the rear surface 104. There are eight longitudinally extending 100BASE-TX ports 122 in this embodiment, each of which are connectible to a UTP connected to an external device, such as a hub of the Ethernet. The 100BASE-TX port 122 automatically recognizes the communication mode (Full Duplex/Half Duplex), and selects the same communication mode as that of the device to be connected. The MDI/MDI-X switch 124 is a switch to determine whether the 100BASE-TX port 212 is used as a cascade connection port or as a normal MDI-X port.

[0037] The bottom surface 106 of the housing 101 has the smallest area among surfaces of the housing 101, and is supported by a horizontal part 214 of a support part 200 of the attachment instrument 200, which will be described later. As the bottom surface 106 having the smallest installation area in the network device 100 may be easily accommodated in a space 4 under a top plate 2 of the desk 1, the present invention is especially useful for effective use of the installation space for the vertical network device 100.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, the network device 100 includes four pairs of attachment parts 132 to 138 on the left side surface 108. Each pair of attachment part 132 to 138 has the same interval and size. The attachment parts 132 and 138 are parallel to each other, while the attachment parts 134 and 136 are parallel to each other, and orthogonal to the attachment parts 132 and 138. The present invention does not limit the number of attachment parts to two. Each of the attachment parts 132 to 138 has, as discussed later, a projection 140 and inlet 142.

[0039] When the network device 100 is a media converter, the cable 130 is an optical fiber cable. The media converter coverts a signal between different media, such as a UTP and an optical cable. The media converter includes, for example, a 100BASE-TX port, a link test switch, a LED for confirming a configuration, a communication mode switch, an MDI/MDI-X switch, a 100BASE-FX port, a DC jack, etc. When the cable 130 is an optical fiber cable, it easily gets damaged without keeping a certain curvature.

[0040] A description will now be given of the attachment instrument 200 of one embodiment according to the present invention with reference to FIGS. 1-3. Here, FIG. 2A is a front view of the attachment instrument 200, and FIG. 2B is a left side view of the attachment instrument 200. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of ties or tie-wraps engaged with cutouts in the attachment instrument 200.

[0041] The attachment instrument 200 is fixed, as shown in FIG. 1, onto a side 2 a of the top plate 2 of the desk 1, and serves to attach the network device 100 to the desk 1 at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction (90 degrees in FIG. 1). The top plate 2 projects towards the side in the desk 1, and forms the space 4 under the projected part. The attachment instrument 200 effectively utilizes the space 4 in this embodiment. The attachment instrument 200 includes a support part 210, an accommodation part 220, and an engagement part 230. The attachment instrument 200 of this embodiment is formed by bending one metal plate. Thereby, the attachment instrument 200 is easily manufactured.

[0042] The support part 210 supports the housing 101 of the network device 100. The support part 210 has a perpendicular part 212, a horizontal part 214, and a pair of bent parts 216. The perpendicular part 212 supports the left side surface 108 of the network device 100. In one embodiment, the perpendicular part 212 serves as a heat radiator for the network device 100. The perpendicular part 212 has a pair of holes 213 into each of which a bolt 219, which will be described later, is inserted. The number of holes 213 is not two in an actual configuration, and attachment parts 134 to 138, which will be described later, include corresponding holes, although these holes are omitted in FIG. 2A for simplicity purposes.

[0043] The perpendicular part 212 has a height H₁, which is set to be higher than the network device 100. The horizontal part 214 has a width W, which is set to be wider than the network device 100. In one embodiment, in order to accommodate two or more network devices 100, the width W of the horizontal part 214 is set to be twice as wide as that of the network device 100. Thereby, the support part 210 may support two stackable hubs connected in a stack-connection manner. The bent parts 216 and 226 have a length L/3 in this embodiment.

[0044] The accommodation part 220 may accommodate the cable 130. The accommodation part 220 accommodates the cable 130 and prevents littering of the cable 130. The accommodation part 220 has a perpendicular part 222, a horizontal part 224, and a bent part 226. The perpendicular part 222 has a height H₂, which may accommodate the cable 130. As the bent part 226 has a height H₃, which is shorter than the height H₂, an aperture 227 is formed between the horizontal part 224 and the bent part 226. Thereby, the cable 130 may be inserted through the aperture 227 into the horizontal part 224, and removed through the aperture 227 from the horizontal part 224. When the bent part 226 has the height H₃ equal to the height H₂, the cable 130 would be inserted into the accommodation part 220 through its end. Therefore, the instant embodiment improves operational performance.

[0045] The accommodation part 220 includes, as shown in FIG. 3, one or more cutouts 228 engaged with a bundler member 240 for bundling the cable 130 on the horizontal part 224. For example, the bundler member 240 is formed as a tie or tie-wrap. Thereby, the cable 130 is definitely prevented from littering. The bundler member 240 fixes the cable 130, and maintains a certain radius of curvature of the cable 130 when the cable 130 is an optical fiber cable, for example. Thus, the cable 130 is prevented from getting damaged. If necessary, a plurality of cutouts 228 may be provided in the direction of width W in FIG. 2B so as to bundle different types of cables 130 at the cutouts 228.

[0046] The engagement part 230 is fixed onto an edge of the top plate 2. The engagement part 230 of this embodiment has an approximately C shape for arranging the support part 210 inside the top plate 2 (i.e., in the space 4), and has a horizontal part 232, a perpendicular part 234, and a bent part 236. The horizontal part 232 and the bent part 236 have the width W, while the perpendicular part 234 has a height H₄ slightly taller than the top plate 2 of the desk 1. The bent part 236 includes a pair of holes 237 to which fittings 250 are inserted. A pair of fittings 250 each include a counter-sunk bolt 252, a weld nut 254, and a butterfly nut 256. The counter-sunk bolt 252 contacts the lower surface of the top plate 2 of the desk 1 and fixes the engagement part 230 onto the top plate 2. The height of the counter-sunk bolt 252 is adjustable.

[0047] The attachment instrument 200 of this embodiment further uses the fitting 280, a pair of bolts 290, and a pair of nuts 291. Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, a description will now be given of the attachment parts 132 to 138 of the housing 101. Here, FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an external appearance of the network device 100 before the fitting 280 is attached to the housing 101. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along a line A-A in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an external appearance of the network device 100 after the fitting 280 is attached to the housing 101. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along a line B-B in FIG. 6.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, each attachment part has the projection 140 and inlet 142. The projection 140 is formed at an inner surface of each attachment part opposite to the housing 101 so that the projection 140 projects towards the housing 101. The projection 140 is inserted into the hole 282 of the fitting 280, which will be described later, and serves as a stopper for preventing the fitting 280 from falling off from the corresponding attachment part. Since the projection 140 may be separated from the hole 282, it enables the fitting 280 to be engaged with a desired attachment part among the attachment parts 132 to 138. An engagement part 281 of the fitting 280 is inserted into the inlet 142.

[0049] The fitting 280 is made, for example, of heat-conductive and rigid stainless, and has, as shown in FIG. 4, a pair of engagement parts 281, a pair of connection parts 283, a base 284, and an engagement part 286.

[0050] The engagement part 282 is connected to the base 284 through the connection part 283 at the back of the base 284. Each engagement part 281 exemplarily has a shape of a combination of a semi-circle and rectangle, and has the circular hole 282 at its approximate center thereof. The engagement part 281 is inserted into the inlet 142 of the corresponding attachment part, and the hole 282 engages with the projection 140 of the corresponding attachment part. Therefore, an interval between the engagement parts 281 is identical to that of the attachment part. Alternatively, the engagement part 281 may have a projection while the attachment part has a hole.

[0051] The connection part 283 is provided to maintain a space S for accommodating a head of the bolt 290 when the fitting 280 is attached to the attachment part, as shown in FIG. 7. The connection part 283 also serves as a stopper for supporting the corresponding attachment part. The bolt 290 engaged with the nut 291. The base 284 has a pair of holes 285. As shown in FIG. 7, the bolt 290 is inserted into the hole 213 of the perpendicular part 212 in the support part 210 through each hole 285. A bolt 298, which will be described later, is inserted into a bolt hole 288 for fixing the magnet 295.

[0052] The engagement part 286 is used in a variation of this embodiment, which will be described later, and connected to and level with the base 284. The same flat plane enables the rear surfaces of three magnets 295 (i.e., surfaces opposite to the fittings 280) to be flat when these three, same magnets 295 are used for the engagement parts 286. Therefore, even when a particular magnet is made thicker and the engagement part 286 is provided at the back of the base 284, the other surfaces of all the magnets 295 should form the same flat surface. The same flat surface is required to maintain horizontalness at the time of attachment of the housing 101 since the surface of the perpendicular part 212 is horizontal. The engagement part 286 has an exemplarily chamfered rectangular shape, and has a bolt hole 287 at an approximate center thereof. The bolt 298 is inserted into the bolt hole 287, similar to the bolt hole 288, for fixing the magnet 295, which will be described later.

[0053] In attaching the housing 101 to the perpendicular part 212 of the support part 210, the fitting 280 are fixed onto the perpendicular part 212 through two bolts 290, nuts 291, and holes 285 and holes 213. Then, the engagement parts 281 are inserted into the inlets 142 of the attachment parts 132 to 138 so as to engage the projections 140 with the holes 282. FIGS. 6 and 7 select the attachment parts 132. As a result, the housing 101 may be attached to the perpendicular part 212 of the support part 210 in a desired orientation.

[0054] As discussed, when the attachment parts other than the attachment parts 132 are selected, the position of the hole 213 changes, although FIG. 2A omits such a hole for simplicity purposes. In other words, a user may freely determine a position and orientation of the housing 101 relative to the perpendicular part 212 based on wiring requirements and his preferences. One embodiment supports the network device 100 using only the perpendicular part 212, i.e., without the horizontal part 214. Of course, the present invention covers an embodiment that supports the network device 100 using only the horizontal part 214, i.e., not the perpendicular part 212.

[0055] Even when the projection 140 is disengaged from the hole 282, the connection part 283 supports the housing 101. Since the head of the bolt 290 is accommodated in the space S, the bolt 290 does not damage the rear surface of the housing 101. The fitting 280 is made of heat-conductive material, and protects the electronic circuit in the housing by transmitting heat from the housing 101 to the perpendicular part 212. Thus, the fitting 280 positions the housing 101 with the attachment parts 132 to 138 of the housing 101, determines an orientation of the housing 101, fixes the housing 101, and radiates the heat from the housing 101.

[0056] A description will now be given of a variation of the present embodiment with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. The instant embodiment also commonly uses the housing 101 and fittings 280, although it uses the magnets 295 instead of the bolts 290. This embodiment also fixes the housing 101 onto the perpendicular part 212, although the attachment instrument of this embodiment includes a metal material, such as steel, which may fix a magnet. Here, FIG. 8 is a sectional view of magnet 295. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an external appearance of the network device 100 in which the fitting 280 and magnets 295 are attached to the housing 101. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along a line B-B in FIG. 9. FIG. 6 is a view before the magnets 295 are attached to the fitting 280.

[0057] The magnet 295 includes, as shown in FIG. 8, center holes 296 and 297 at its almost center. The center hole 296 accommodates, as shown in FIG. 10, the head of the bolt 298 for fixing the magnet 295 onto the fitting 280. The center hole 297 has a diameter smaller than that of the center hole 296, which allows the body of the bolt 298 to pass through but does not allow its head to pass through. The bolt 298 is coupled with the nut 299 through the bolt 298.

[0058] In attaching the housing 101 to the perpendicular part 212, the magnet 295 is first fixed onto the bolt holes 297 and 298 of the fitting 298 through the bolt 298 and nut 299. Then, the fitting 280 is secured in place using a magnetic force by the magnet 295. Preferably, the bottom surface 106 of the housing 101 contacts the support part 210 for stable supporting. Surfaces which all the magnets 295 face the perpendicular part 212 form the same flat surface, maintaining the horizontalness of the housing 101 and enhancing the fixture. This embodiment does not use the holes 213 in the perpendicular part 212.

[0059] Then, the engagement parts 281 are inserted into the inlets 142 of a desired pair of attachment parts 132 to 138 so that the projections 140 may engage with holes 282. FIGS. 9 and 10 select the attachment part 132. As a result, the housing 101 may be attached to the perpendicular part 212 at a desired orientation. A user may freely determine the desired position on the perpendicular part 212 and the orientation of the housing 101 based on the wiring requirements and preferences. Even when the projection 140 is disengaged from the hole 284, the connection part 283 supports the housing 101. Since the nut 299 of the bolt 298 is accommodated in the space S, the bolt 290 does not damage the rear surface of the housing 101. The fitting 280 is made of heat-conductive material and protects the electronic circuit in the housing by transmitting heat from the housing 101 to the perpendicular part 212. Thus, the fitting 280 positions the housing 101 with the attachment parts 132 to 138 of the housing 101, determines an orientation of the housing 101, fixes the housing 101, and radiates the heat from the housing 101.

[0060] A description will now be given of another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 11. Here, FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the drawer mechanism 200 of one embodiment according to the present invention. This embodiment enables the network device 100 to be drawn out of the horizontal part 214. The drawer mechanism 300 includes a base 310 fixed inside the support part 210, a drawer 320, and one or more grips or handles 330 fixed onto a front surface of the drawer 320.

[0061] The base 310 has a sectionally U shape, and a pair of grooves 312 that extend in a direction K. The drawer 320 has an almost rectangle parallelepiped having a pair of rails or convexes 322 that extend in the direction K at its outer sides, and the drawer 320 accommodates the network device 100. Each convex 322 is inserted into the groove 312, and slides along the groove 312. The side 324 of the drawer 320 may be as tall as the perpendicular part 212 of the support part 200, if necessary. Thereby, the left side 108 of the network device 100 may be fixed onto the side 324. The grips or handles 330 facilitate movements of the drawer 320.

[0062] As a result the network device 100 is movable relative to the support part 210 while placed on the drawer 320. Therefore, even when the support part 210 is provided at the back of the desk 1, the network device 100 is easily mounted, exchanged and removed by pulling the drawer 320 out of the support part 210. A mechanism for adjusting or restricting the draw-out amount of the drawer 320 may use any structure known in the art so that the drawer 320 may be prevented from being fallen off from the base 310, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] A description will now be given of another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 12. Here, FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view of an attachment instrument 200A having a support part 210A of another embodiment according to the present invention. The support part 210A has horizontal parts 214A and 214B, wherein the horizontal part 214B may be drawn out of the horizontal part 214A. The support part 210A includes the perpendicular part 212, the horizontal part 214A connected to the perpendicular part 212, the horizontal part 214B that is movable relative to the horizontal part 214A, the bent part 216 connected to the horizontal part 214B, and a pair of grips 217 fixed onto a front surface of the bent part 216. Those elements in FIG. 12 which are the same as corresponding elements in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numeral, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] In this embodiment, the horizontal parts 214A and 214B exemplarily have the same width W. Thereby, the horizontal parts 214A and 214B may mount two network devices 100. The number of stack connections would determine drawing out of the horizontal part 214B. If necessary, the horizontal part 224 may be configured to be drawn out according to the drawing out of the horizontal part 214B. The grip 217 facilitates movements of the horizontal parts 214B. Thereby, the desired number of network devices 100 may be mounted on the support part. A mechanism for adjusting or restricting the draw-out amount of the horizontal part 214B may use any structure known in the art so that the horizontal part 214B may be prevented from being fallen off from the horizontal part 214A, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] A description will now be given of a variation 300A of the drawer mechanism 300 with reference to FIG. 13. Here, FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view of the drawer mechanism 300A. The drawer mechanism 300A in this embodiment has two drawers 320A, and the horizontal part 214C in which these two drawers 320A are provided have a width twice as wide as that of the horizontal part 214. Two network devices 100 may be mounted for stack connection. Each drawer 320A may accommodate one network device 100, and be drawn out of the horizontal part 214C independently. Those elements in FIG. 13 which are the same as corresponding elements in FIG. 11 are designated by the same reference numeral, and a description thereof will be omitted. Thereby, only a desired network device 100 may be attached and replaced without affecting another network device 100 and communication apparatus connected to it. In FIG. 13, two front parts 312 at the center may be integrated with each other.

[0066] A description will now be given of an attachment instrument 200D of another embodiment according to the present invention with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14A is a schematic sectional view of the attachment instrument 200D, and FIG. 14B is a plane view of the attachment instrument 200D taken along a line F-F in FIG. 14A. The attachment instrument 200D may be configured to expand the attachment instrument 200E. Those elements in FIG. 14 which are the same as corresponding elements in FIG. 12 are designated by the same reference numeral, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0067] The attachment instrument 200D includes, as shown in FIG. 14B, a perpendicular part 212D having a pair of attachment holes 218. The attachment holes 218 of this embodiment have a rectangular shape with a height OH and a length OL. The attachment instrument 200E does not necessarily have an engagement part 230, and a properly rigid engagement part 219 is formed at each bent part 216. The engagement part 219 has a horizontal part 219 a and perpendicular part 219 b, and a sectionally hook shape as shown in FIG. 14A. The horizontal part 219 a is formed at the center of the bent part 216, while the perpendicular part 219 b has a rectangular shape and is inserted into the attachment hole 218. The attachment instrument 200D may mount two network devices 100 when engaged with the attachment instrument 200E and realize the stack connection. Each attachment instrument 200D does not have to be unnecessarily large as far as it may accommodate at least one network device 100.

[0068] A description will now be given of an attachment instrument 200F of another embodiment according to the present invention with reference to FIG. 15. Here, FIG. 15A is a schematic plane view of the attachment instrument 200F, and FIG. 15B is a schematic top view of the attachment instrument 200F. In the attachment instrument 200F, the relative angle between the support part 210F and the engagement part 230F is adjustable, as shown in FIG. 15B, by rotating an angle adjuster 242. A support part 210F has a horizontal part 211 parallel to and as large as the horizontal part 214. The horizontal part 211 is formed instead of the bent part 236 at the top of the perpendicular pat 212. Other than that, it has the same structure as the support part 210.

[0069] The angle adjuster 242 has a shaft that may rotate relative to one of a support parts 210F and an engagement part 230F and may not rotate relative to the other, and an operation part on a gear fixed around the shaft. The user may adjust the relative angle between them by rotating the operation part using a finger. A structure to fix the relative angle between them to a predetermined angle may use any structure known in the art, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.

[0070] The attachment instrument 200F may facilitate the effective use of the space 4 by adjusting the relative angle between the support part 210F and the engagement part 230F using the angle adjuster 242 according to a shape of the space 4, a thing located in the space, user's preference and operational performance.

[0071] A description will now be given of an attachment instrument 200G of another embodiment according to the present invention with reference to FIG. 16. Here, FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view of the attachment instrument 200G. The attachment instrument 200G may three-dimensionally adjust the relative angle between a support part 210G and an engagement part 230G by rotating an angle adjuster 244. The support part 210G is parallel to and as large as the horizontal part 214, like the support part 210F.

[0072] The angle adjuster 244 includes a ball that may rotate relative to one of the support parts 210G and engagement part 230G and may not rotate relative to the other, and an operation part on a gear fixed around the shaft. 1The user may adjust the relative angle between them by rotating the operation part 210G using a finger. A structure to fix the relative angle between them to a predetermined angle may use any structure known in the art, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.

[0073] The attachment instrument 200G may facilitate the effective use of the space 4 by adjusting the relative angle between the support part 210G and the engagement part 230G using the angle adjuster 244 according to a shape of the space 4, a thing located in the space, user's preference and operational performance.

[0074] The above embodiments change angles of the support parts 210F and 210G to the engagement parts 230F and 230G, but the engagement part 230 may be angled to the desk 1. Thereby, an adjustment of a relative angle between the support part and the engagement part according to shapes of the installation space would promote the effective use of the installation space.

[0075] A description will now be given of an attachment instrument 200H of another embodiment according to the present invention with reference to FIG. 17. Here, FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view of the attachment instrument 200H. This embodiment enables the support part 210H to be drawn out of the engagement part 230H, and thus the network device 100 may be drawn out of the engagement part 230H. The support part 210H is parallel to and as large as the horizontal part 214, like the support part 210F. A drawer mechanism 260 includes a guide 262, a rail 264, and a connection part 266.

[0076] The guide 262 is fixed to the bent part 236 of the engagement part 230H, and extends by a length L in the longitudinal direction of an engagement part 239H. The guide 262 guides and holds the rail 264. The guide 262 is so constricted that the rail 264 does not move longitudinally. The rail 264 is provided in the guide 262 so as to be drawn out of the guide 262, and made movable relative to the guide 262. The rail 262 extends by the length L, in the longitudinal direction of the guide 264. The connection part 266 connects the rail 264 and the support part 210H to each other. If necessary, a grip (not shown) is formed on the support part 210H.

[0077] As a result, the network device 100 may move relative to the engagement part 230H while mounted on the support part 210H. Thereby, even when the engagement part 230H is provided at the back of the desk 1, the network device 100 is easily mounted, exchanged and removed by drawing the support part 210H out of the engagement part 23011. A mechanism for adjusting or restricting the draw-out amount of the rail 264 may use any structure known in the art so that the support part 210H may be prevented from being fallen off from the engagement part 230H, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.

[0078] The above embodiment changes an angle of the support part 210H to the engagement parts 230H, but the engagement part 230 may be angled to the object or desk 1. Thereby, even when the engagement part is located at the back of the object, the network device is easily installed and exchanged by drawing out the engagement part. A structure for making the engagement part 230 movable relative to the desk 1 may use any structure known in the art, for example, by using wheels instead of the fittings 250, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0079] Further, the present invention is not limited to these preferred embodiments, and various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a shape of the engagement part 230 is variable according to a shape of the object (for example, a curved surface). In addition, the present invention does not limit the object to be fixed by the engagement part to a horizontal member, such as a top plate of a desk, but may cover various connections to angled objects.

[0080] Thus, one aspect of the present invention may provide an attachment mechanism that may effectively utilize the installation space of the network device and bundle the cable for the network device. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An attachment mechanism for attaching a network device to an object at a certain angle with respect to a horizontal direction, the network device being connectible to a cable connected to a communication apparatus, and the network device assisting communications on a network by the communication apparatus, the attachment mechanism comprising: a support part for supporting a housing of the network device; an accommodation part for accommodating the cable; and an engagement part connectible to the object.
 2. An attachment mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the housing has a first surface and a second surface smaller than the first surface, and wherein said support part supports the network device through the second surface, the housing including a plurality of longitudinally extending terminals connectible to a plurality of communication apparatuses while the housing is supported on said support part.
 3. An attachment mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a bundler member for bundling the cable, wherein said accommodation part includes a connection part, engaged with said bundler member, for bundling the cable on said accommodation part.
 4. An attachment mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a drawer mechanism, movable relative to said support part, for loading the network device onto and ejecting the network device from said support part.
 5. An attachment mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a drawer mechanism for changing an area of said support mechanism so as to change the number of network devices to be supported.
 6. An attachment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said attachment mechanism may accommodate a plurality of network devices, and further comprises a drawer mechanism, movable relative to said support part, for loading and ejecting the plurality of network device independent of said support part.
 7. An attachment mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising another engagement part removably attached to another attachment mechanism in order to accommodate a plurality of network devices.
 8. An attachment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a relative angle between said support part and said engagement part is configured to be variable.
 9. An attachment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the object has a top plate arranged approximately horizontally, and said engagement part has an approximately C shape, engaged with an edge of the top plate, for arranging said support part inside the top plate.
 10. An attachment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said support part includes a radiator part for radiating heat from the network device.
 11. An attachment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said support part includes a magnet to hold the network device.
 12. An attachment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said support part includes: a first attachment part for attaching the housing in a first orientation; and a second attachment part for attaching the housing in a second orientation different from the first orientation.
 13. An attachment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said attachment mechanism is formed by bending one sheet of plate.
 14. An attachment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said support part is movable relative to said engagement part. 